Stories from the Dark Side: Criminals, Gangs & Mafia Tour of NYC

70 reviews

3 hours

Max 20

Why take this tour?

Step inside the criminal underbelly of New York and learn how it has shaped the city's history and culture. This neighborhood tour, which was developed with the help of retired NYPD officers and detectives, takes you through the stomping grounds of old immigrant gangs, prohibiton mobsters, and bankers who scored big conning the stock market.

Take a peek into the dark side of New York history

Ever wondered what goes on behind the closed doors of New York City's notorious criminal underworld? For the first time, you don't have to be convicted to get a peek inside. During this excursion with an expert guide (some of whom are retired NYPD officers and detectives), you'll learn the shocking truth of New York’s old immigrant gangs, organized crime rings and modern white collar criminals.

Starting near Wall Street, you'll explore the long history of political corruption in NYC and how it shaped the growth and development of the city. You'll also stop off near the stock exchange to discuss the Wolf of Wall Street and various waves of white collar crime that have often brought the cit...

Ever wondered what goes on behind the closed doors of New York City's notorious criminal underworld? For the first time, you don't have to be convicted to get a peek inside. During this excursion with an expert guide (some of whom are retired NYPD officers and detectives), you'll learn the shocking truth of New York’s old immigrant gangs, organized crime rings and modern white collar criminals.

Starting near Wall Street, you'll explore the long history of political corruption in NYC and how it shaped the growth and development of the city. You'll also stop off near the stock exchange to discuss the Wolf of Wall Street and various waves of white collar crime that have often brought the city to its knees.

Next you'll head over to the Lower East Side to immerse yourself in the history of the famous gangs of New York that dominated this area in the 19th century. At the infamous Five Points junction, your guide will tell you about the Irish, Chinese, and Italian gangs that waged bloody warfare for control of the turf.

As you move into Chinatown and Little Italy, the stories become more modern, from Chinese gangs in 70s and 80s; to mafia families that brought Old World crime to New York, with networks of criminality that spanned continents. Those days aren't over yet though. There are rumors that beneath these very streets lurks a whole network of tunnels that lead from Chinatown to the Hudson, allowing free access for smugglers.

History and legend, fact and fiction are all teased out and explained by your guide who has an extensive background in studying the criminal elements of the city. Of course, it isn't all darkness, and degradation; you'll also enjoy a donut and coffee, on us.

This tour appeals to a wide range of people, from history buffs and true crime heads all the way down to children who are thrilled to see the city in a whole new light.

Latest Reviews

Ike knew his information and was a great guide. He was great at checking in and asking if we needed a break. Being a former cop and native New Yorker, his insider insight gave the tour that extra touch. Even better, at the end, he gave us a print out of all the cool places he mentioned throughout the tour, for us to look up at home.

ArielleNov 29, 2018

We had a great time. A highly recommended tour, with a lot of background information on places you'd normally walk by without knowing. Our guide Tim was great, very knowledgeable and showed us all the best places, and really an all around great guy to be around. Greetings from the Netherlands

Total

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FAQ

Does this tour run if the weather is bad?

Like all of our tours, this one runs rain or shine. If it's raining we advise that you bring an umbrella. New York can also be very cold in the winter so we advise dressing in layers and wearing a warm set of gloves or mittens.